Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 160.  Tue  1-01-80  1:17  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Ed Shuman
 Subject: Ghosts and Guns

ES|     I don't mean that title quite like it sounds!  :)
  |I am considering joining a law enforcement agency as a career,
  |specifically the FBI.  While explaining the idea to my
  |parents, I mentioned that some reasons people sometimes drop out of
  |training are that they can't handle the physical training or that they
  |realize that they couldn't shoot someone.  At this my mother asked, "You
  |mean you could shoot someone?"  I said that if they pulled a gun on me, I
  |sure could.  But it did set me to wondering:  What is Catholic teaching on
  |this, especially the definition of self-defense?  Is it permissable, for
  |instance, when chasing a dangerous criminal, to "shoot to kill" if ordered
  |to do so?  Is it permissable to shoot to wound (but not to kill) in order
  |to stop someone?
  |                                                  Thank you,
  |                                                  --Ed
 
ES|     I have another question, or questions:  What is the Church's
  | teaching on ESP, psychic powers, ghosts, and spirits?  Is there
  | such a thing as a neutral (not evil but not necessarily GOOD,
  | like some people can be) spirit?  Are there really psychic
  | powers or are they all deceptions by demons?  Ihave know
  | Christians who exhibit (and use) psychic abilities, especially
  | seeing "auras" and knowing about where spirits are and communicating
  | with them.  I realize these questions might require an especially
  | long answer;  If they do, I would really appreciate it if you could
  | recommend a book on the subject.
                                                 Thank you,
                                                 --Ed
 
Dear Ed,
 
Father Herbert Thurston, S.J., spent years researching the
paranormal.  You will doubtless find his books and articles in the
University Library at Steubenville.
 
Every good pastor or confessor would say about spiritism of any kind:
stay away from it.  This is not to decry legitmate research.  There is
much we do not know about the natural powers of our minds and bodies,
and much to learn.
 
Self-defense justifies enough force to ward off the danger that
threatens, but not unnecessary force.  If a police officer is a prudent
man and is well-trained and has prudent, trustworthy superiors to
direct him, I suppose he could obey an order to shoot to kill if that
were the only way to save his own life and the lives of those he has
been sworn to protect.
 
Peace officers have more need than most of us of continual prayer and
of genuine reliance on God.
 
                                        Sincerely in Christ,
 
 
                                                Father Mateo
 
 
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